Researchers at the Allied Mental Health Center are conducting a study to determine how quickly symptoms of major depressive disorder are reduced by different forms of psychotherapy. What is the independent variable in this study?
A)change in the symptoms of major depressive disorder
B)method used to recruit participants for the study
C)form of psychotherapy used to treat major depressive disorder
D)cost of the study

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The independent variable is the variable that is manipulated or controlled by the researcher. In this study, the form of psychotherapy used to treat major depressive disorder is the independent variable because it is the variable being manipulated by the researchers to determine how it affects the reduction of symptoms. A, B, and D are not independent variables because they are not being manipulated by the researchers in this study.

Researchers at the Allied Mental Health Center Are Conducting a Study